Breaking Bad’s fourth season began with the tension erupting in episode one as antagonist Gus rudely introduced one of his lackeys’ throats with a box cutter. But after that, things pulled back to a slow burn as Walt (Bryan Cranston) and Jesse (Aaron Paul) existed in an awkward limbo, cooking meth and waiting for an opportunity to strike their deranged boss down. A lot of talking and little action ensued – minus a little Cartel violence here and there – as characters and the show’s audience were left mostly in the dark.

Heading into Sunday’s season finale, this temporary lull in action has given way to the strongest run of episodes that the series has seen. And that’s saying a lot.

The journey that Walt and Jesse have embarked on since season one – back when Walt was a timid cancer patient and Jesse was a junky burn-out – is a sinister one, but one that seemed destined to exist in relative harmony. And yet, heading into last Sunday’s episode, their relationship had completely dissolved. Using a series of creative plot developments and an uncanny attention to detail that left no rock un-turned, series creator and head writer Vince Gilligan appeared to have pulled off the unthinkable: finally drive a permanent wedge through the most compelling relationship that the series had to offer.

That was until last Sunday’s episode which saw the good guys reunite on the same team. It felt good as a fan to watch, but it leaves every facet of the show up in the air. At this point, all that seems certain is that somebody’s going to die. And, for the first time in the show’s history, that could mean members of Walt’s family. Their fates in the balance, Walt and Jesse are gonna need a bit more than luck to get out off this ride unscathed.

Breaking Bad’s Season 4 Finale premiers Sunday on AMC, 10:00 PM. Here is the first, intense, minute and change that will already have you sh*tting your self.

Also, if you want to continue the debate and speculation, the good folks at Warming Glow have a fantastic rundown of the possible deaths we could see tonight. BB fans, be sure to reconvene here during the show to freak out as the sh*t hits the fan.

That one episode a while back – after Walt got his ass kicked by Jesse and was confronted by Jr. about it – totally validates his presence in the show. Shit was touching.

10.09.11 at 9:43 pm

The Real Anonymous

I skipped ALL comments lol

Waiting for it over here on the west coast but I have to say that last week’s episode was amazing man. Hard to imagine this is already the season finale. One of the best shows on television.

(P.S. I ain’t watching that minute preview either – I am staying off the Internet until I see it – no spoilers, no spoilers, no spoilers, Big Bucks, No Whammies!)

10.10.11 at 12:38 am

blaktrakstar

This finale was filling….
Gus = One of the great tv characters of all time.
Gus’s death reminded me of Tim Roth’s character died in Hoodlum

10.10.11 at 1:17 am

the kid frankie

now watching…

10.10.11 at 2:49 am

the kid frankie

DAMN! that nigga Gus’ face, though.. how did he even walk after that shit?

10.10.11 at 4:57 am

Louis LaFlare

BEST SHOW ON TV. HANDS DOWN.
Breaking Bad will be raping the Emmys again next year.

10.10.11 at 5:02 am

The Real Anonymous

Gus at the end was CRAZY! I was like, “Dude survived?”

Gangsta? Nah… Mr. White’s the G now!

10.10.11 at 7:20 am

CapricornReligion

MINI SPOILERS

Shout out to @Gz Up man..

Lol, Now I can watch Dexter untill I get showtime. I didnt know about that Website at all.

And yeah. The Finale was CRAZY. I knew it was Walt once I broke it down to myself. Breaking bad is too Good of a Show to of let it have been Gus. Now, I’m calling it early for Season 5 of who is Walt’s next Enemy. . . . . . . Jesse

I thought they hinted to Walt doing it on the final shot of the plant in his backyard. I could be wrong though. Jesse mentioned that Brock had been poisoned by the red berries from a plant in the last scene at the hospital.

10.10.11 at 9:59 am

The Real Anonymous

Oh never mind. You were referring to exactly what went down with him. I am curious as well.

10.10.11 at 10:40 am

AJ

Walt vs Jesse Next Season. I see it coming man. See you in June 2012

====

I’ve been speculating that all damn season, and now it looks like its gonna happen. One of them is gonna die. #teamJesse

10.10.11 at 5:20 pm

GameOver

Fucking epic finale, this show is (so far) the best series I have ever seen on television

10.10.11 at 6:40 pm

Mr. Roper

Walt has to die. The irony is the show made it seem like walt was the good guy, when jesse is the good one and walt the bad influence. I root for jesse more than walt yo. And I was sad as shit that Gus had to go